Gov. Hataman: ‘Islam Will Always Be For The Greater Good’

Cotabato City — Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Monday urged all Muslims to be true messengers of Islam.

“As Muslims who live true to the values of Islam, we make many sacrifices based on faith — faith in ourselves, faith in others, and faith in Allah,” Hataman said in his Eud’l Adha (feast of sacrifice) message.

Malacanang earlier declared Eud’l Adha as national holiday to celebrate the Islamic feast of sacrifice.

“Today we remember Ibrahim’s sacrifice, one that is guided by his faith in Allah. It is an example we aspire to live up to as we celebrate Eid’l Adha. Today, we take pause to remember what Islam means to us as Muslims living in a time where many choose turn a blind eye to our sacrifices and in a world where many look upon our faith with prejudice,” Hataman said in his message as Muslims gather in many open fields across the region to celebrate Eud’l Adha.

He said Muslims have offered many sacrifices in the past. He added there are Muslims who were persecuted because of the works of others which are not the teachings of Allah.

“As Muslims, this prejudice is a burden that is familiar to us. We are often persecuted because of our faith, because there are those who sow fear and terror as they claim they are Muslims who follow the path of Islam,” he said.

Hataman said there are people who proclaimed they Muslims but are actually not. They offered sacrifices for self interest.

“Their so-called sacrifices are nothing but self-serving acts of violence; their so-called faith is nothing but a lie. Theirs is the work of the devil and they are a disgrace to the Ummah,” he said.

He asked Muslims in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi to stand together and unite against what he called as “traitors.”

“We need to stand together and unite against these traitors to Islam and the many other evils that try to tear us apart,” he said.

Even Prophet Muhammad has experienced sacrifices as he preached Islam. “As the Prophet Muhammad once walked the earth and preached Islam, he himself faced great doubt and persecution. He endured great sacrifices so that he can carry with him the true message of our faith,” Hataman said.

The regional governor, a devout Islam faithful, said Muslims are now faced with bigger and greater challenge.

“The challenge now, more than ever, is to be true Muslims and be messengers of Islam ourselves — to genuinely speak, act, and live by our faith. In the midst of noise, let us speak with a clear voice. In the midst of strife, let us act with compassion. In times of darkness, let us live with light and warmth for others,” he stressed.

“Our actions as Muslims must always take root in a shared humanity guided by faith, and Islam encourages us to always share with those who have less, serve those who are in need, and stand together with the oppressed. In the hands of the true faithful, Islam will always be for the greater good,” he said.

“Today, as we celebrate the Eid and remember the sacrifices we have made along the way, we are reminded of the many reasons why our faith must never be taken in vain. Not in our name,” Hataman said. (PNA) JMC/NYP/EOF